Crist cancels but governor’s race still hot topic at Dem fundraiser

Saturday

Aug 24, 2013 at 9:44 PMAug 24, 2013 at 9:59 PM

By CHRIS GRAHAMchris.graham@news-jrnl.com

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES – Former Republican governor-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist had a family emergency and was unable to give the keynote speech at the Volusia County Democratic Party’s fundraiser Saturday night.But Crist, considered a potential (not yet announced) frontrunner to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 gubernatorial race, was still the topic of discussion among local and state leaders looking to unite the party, though many in attendance were not ready to hand him the nomination. “We’re at a real crossroads right now in the party,” said Vonzelle Johnson, chairman of the Volusia County Democratic Party. He added an ideal candidate will be able to understand important social issues as well as economic development. State Rep. Dwayne Taylor, who filled in as keynote speaker Saturday, said the state as it is now is ready for a different leader.“I think there’s so many problems in this state, we can unite under anyone,” he said, adding Crist’s past term as governor gives him an advantage over other candidates.The annual affair attracted several hundred party loyalists to the Shores Resort & Spa. Crist canceled to be in California where his sister had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, Johnson said. Some in the party aren’t ready to accept Crist as the next ticket to the Governor’s Mansion.Johnson said he still believes the race is wide open.“Everyone will have to make their own individual decision as we head into the primary,” he said.Former state Sen. Nan Rich is the only prominent Democrat who has joined the 2014 gubernatorial race. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, though he has said on several occasions he doesn’t intend to run for governor, and 2010 nominee and former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, are thought to be possible candidates.Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, state committeeman for the county’s Democratic Party, said Saturday that party regulars believe Crist could announce his candidacy as early as next month — if he decides to at all.“It’s really too early, and in some ways it’s too late. If you’re not revved up now about a campaign, it’s going to be difficult to get into. I would think if Mr. Crist is going to run, he will be apt to move out in September.”Crist left the Republican Party to run as an independent in a failed bid for the U.S. Senate in 2010, a race won by Republican Marco Rubio. Since then, he has slowly shifted toward the Democratic Party before officially joining in December 2012. His views have also changed: In May, Crist announced his support for same-sex marriage. In 2010, he supported adoption rights for gay couples.A recent poll taken by Quinnipiac University found that 47 percent of surveyed voters say Crist’s change in party affiliation is positive evidence of political pragmatism, while 44 percent of voters believe it is negative evidence that Crist lacks core beliefs. “Now he will need to test that profile,” Bailey said.Whoever challenges Scott in 2014 will likely have to wage a costly campaign.As of July, Scott’s political action committee — Let’s Get to Work — had raised nearly $4.1 million in the latest three-month period and has amassed nearly $14 million since the summer of 2011.Numbers show Crist, for now, having an edge among voters in a hypothetical matchup against the incumbent.According to the same Quinnipiac poll, Crist captured 47 percent of the vote to Scott’s 37 percent.Johnson said it will be important for the party to rally around whoever wins the Democratic nomination. “We’ll need to make sure we have our ducks in a row and get this person elected,” he said.— The Associated Press contributed to this report.